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NOISE IN THE WORK PLACE
Health Department figures indicate that approximately 500,000 New Zealanders work in environments where noise levels may lead to varying degrees of hearing loss. It is estimated that the total annual cost to the community at large is approximately $76,000,000, including ACC compensation payouts of $36,000,000.
As shown above, not all costs are related to compensation payments - according to OSH research, you may recognise the effects of work place noise in terms of absenteeism, high staff turn over, poor moral, or in miscommunication. For more details on the costs of hazardous noise in the workplace, and the benefits of implementing effective control measures, click HERE (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
In addition to employment related costs, organisations may be in risk of incurring penalties imposed by OSH for failing to comply with noise control regulations.
OSH regulations revolve around three primary issues;
a) The requirement to identify hazardous noise in the workplace
b) The requirement to control hazardous noise, or to protect staff from hazardous noise.
c) To arrange hearing tests for employees who work in areas of hazardous noise, and to notify OSH if serious harm is detected.
For more specific information on OSH requirements, you may wish to down load an 'Introduction to the Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace', by clicking HERE (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Alternatively, you may prefer to phone one of our friendly professional team members at Medica Consulting with your queries regarding workplace noise, or OSH compliance. For contact telephone numbers, click HERE.
MANAGING WORKPLACE NOISE
The first step in managing workplace noise is to establish a basis for action. Assessing noise in the workplace is the first step to managing it, and ensuring that your environment meets the requirements of the OSH regulations.
An initial walk-through audit of your facilities will establish areas of higher risk. Once these areas are known, noise level measurements will confirm whether any further action is required, and will additionally provide some indication of the type of remedial action required. Such remedial action could be in the form of machinery upgrades, noise control, or in the use of prescription protection for use by employees. Whichever the case, accurate noise measurements provide the best assessment of your compliance with regulations, and will enable cost-effective measures to be applied as needed.
Medica Consulting are specialists in workplace noise management, offering compliance assessment, noise level measurement, staff testing and monitoring services, together with a wide range of approved protective products. For further information of where to start with noise management needs, contact Medica Consulting without obligation. For contact phone numbers, click HERE.
For further reading on workplace noise related issues, you are welcome to download the following documents issued by OSH, by clicking on any selected title:
Establish A Basis For Action.
Noise Policy
Using Surveys
Noise Control: Costs / Benefits
Personal Protection
Workplace Noise Fact Sheets
A Message to Employees
How Noise Affects Your Hearing
© 2005 Medica Consulting Limited.
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